Career Summary

Biography

On balance, opportunities to secure career achievements have not negatively impacted in excess of those constraints experienced by those researchers operating in an academic setting of an Australian tertiary institution. My career has focused on developing an international research profile, providing an intellectually stimulating research environment for RHD students and postdoctoral fellows, delivering undergraduate courses in ways that optimise understanding, critical thinking and technical skills together with accepting administrative duties for the public good. Assessment of my research profile can be measured against continuous funding from ARC across thirty three years, a total publication output of peer reviewed 106 research papers, 18 reviews and 20 book chapters (total citations >2,900 leading to a h-index of 31) as well as 30 invited oral presentations at international conferences. Success in training capable researchers is reflected by the relatively high proportion of past RHD students and postdoctoral fellows securing academic/research positions (see Expertise section). Claims of strong positive learning outcomes from delivery of undergraduates courses are supported by student evaluation survey scores exceeding 80 percentile values. Reasonable contributions have been made to the public good of the scientific community within and outside The University of Newcastle.

Research ExpertiseThe paradigm that sink processes exert primary control over biomass distribution in plants (Patrick 1997) has guided my approach to discovering how nutrient transport is regulated. In established non-meristimatic sinks, control is restricted to sink transport processes (Patrick 1997). To examine these transport phenomena experimentally, we introduced an innovative model using developing legume seeds (Patrick & McDonald 1980) on which substantial progress has been made in understanding cellular pathway, mechanism and control of nutrient transport (Patrick & Offler 2001; Zhang et al. 2007). Employing novel structure/function approaches, CE Offler (University of Newcastle) and I showed that nutrient release/uptake occurs in specialised transport cells located at maternal/filial seed interfaces (Patrick & Offler 2001). These studies highlighted a central role for transfer cells in developing seeds (Offler & Patrick 1993). A claim since verified by physiological (McDonald et al. 1996) and molecular (Harrington et al. 1997) observations. In collaboration with CE Offler and SD McCurdy (University of Newcastle) a major research program has been undertaken to discover gene networks responsible for induction of and building the wall labyrinth (eg Wardini et al. 2007 a, b). With NA Walker (University of Sydney), we showed that sucrose release from maternal seed tissues was energy coupled by a proton antiport mechanism (Patrick 1997) and that uptake by their filial tissues occurs by sucrose/H+ symport (McDonald et al. 1996). The latter finding was the first direct demonstration of transport function by a higher plant transfer cell. These findings underpinned a collaboration with WB Frommer (Carnegie Institute, Stanford University) in cloning genes encoding sucrose/ (Tegeder et al. 1999), amino acid/ (Tegeder et al. 2000) H+ symporters and sucrose effluxers (Zhou et al. 2007). Recently, a molecular genetic approach established that sucrose transporters play a central role in determining biomass accumulation by seeds (Rosche et al. 2002). With SD Tyerman (University of Adelaide) and Walker, we discovered ion channels, including novel non-selective channels, responsible for release of phloem-imported ions from seed coats (Zhang et al. 2002). Coordination of transport events in maternal and filial seed tissues are considered to be regulated by a turgor homeostatic mechanism located in maternal seed tissue (Patrick 1997; Zhang et al. 2004). Our expertise in nutrient loading of developing legume seeds provided a strong information platform to undertake similar studies of cereal grains in collaboration with RT Furbank (CSIRO Plant Industry eg. Aoki et al. 2004). Working along similar lines to those described above, discovering the cellular pathway of phloem unloading in developing tomato fruits (Ruan and Patrick 1995) underpinned an ongoing collaboration with DW McCurdy that has identified hexose transporters as major determinants of fruit sugar levels (cf. Gear et al. 2000), a key agronomic trait. Intellectual property, derived from results obtained using forward and reverse genetic studies, is protected by a provisional patent (APPAN: 2006906647). The latter describes an experimentally validated approach to increase fruit sugar levels. A current consultancy for CSR to advise on a multimillion-dollar research program to increase sucrose content of sugarcane is predicated on my experience in nutrient distribution in plants.

Teaching ExpertiseUndergraduate I have a commitment to, and enthusiasm for, achieving excellence in optimising the learning experience of students at both under- and postgraduate levels. I have taught at all levels in delivering undergraduate Biology courses. My overall guiding principle is to offer a secure learning environment in which students can assimilate the skills and basic understanding required. The approach is predicted on first to be trained as a scientist, then a biologist and ultimately a person competent in the particular Biological sub-discipline being taught. To achieve these broad objectives, I work at stimulating students to recognise the excitement of scientific discovery and the practical implications of the topic at hand. This creates an environment that empowers them to take charge of their learning process while offering training in skills required to pursue a scientific inquiry. Such skills include a capacity to question, to develop logical argument, to plan and undertake experiments, to critically analyse information, to integrate ideas, to think laterally and to communicate in both verbal and written forms. Research Training As a postgraduate supervisor, I am committed to offering a stimulating research environment and training students toward being independent and competent researchers. The prime focus of the latter is time management, experimental design and execution, critical evaluation of the literature and their results and scientific writing and presentation skills. This is achieved through a number of approaches. Our group meets weekly to provide a venue for students to discuss their findings in an informal setting. This program is supplemented with one-on-one fortnightly meetings with each student. The training students receive is put into rigorous practise by encouraging them to participate regularly in national conferences and to prepare their results for publication in peer-reviewed international journals. In this context, our students have each published at least one paper and in one case 8 papers from their research projects. Except for one student, all Higher Degree students under my supervision have successfully completed their degrees. Twelve of the 14 have pursued active careers in science and hold positions in the tertiary sector (2 x Associate Professors in Australian Universities; 2 x tenure track in US; 1 x Lecturer in Indonesia), industry (1), government research institutions and agencies (3) and as a journal editor (1 Nature Biotech) and postdoctoral fellows (2). Since 1976, when the first crop of Biological Science graduates became available, I have supervised 22 Honours students three of whom received University medals on graduation and 7 of whom have gone onto undertake PhD programs under my supervision. My Honours supervision style follows that outlined for the PhD program. The difference is that there is a more intense feedback as they progress through assessment tasks of preparing an essay, presenting two seminars and writing a thesis.

CollaborationsMolecular physiology of nutrient transport and distribution within plants with a particular interest in membrane transport including development of cells specialized for membrane transport, transfer cells

Qualifications

PhD, Macquarie University

Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), University of Sydney

Keywords

Honours and RHD supervision

Nutrient Transport

Phloem Unloading

Plant Molecular Physiology

Seed Filling

Undergraduate Plant Physiology and Plant Development

Fields of Research

Code

Description

Percentage

060702

Plant Cell and Molecular Biology

40

060705

Plant Physiology

60

Professional Experience

UON Appointment

Title

Organisation / Department

Academic appointment

Dates

Title

Organisation / Department

1/11/2008 -

Member

Advisory Board, Australian Plant Phenomics FacilityAustralia

1/09/2004 - 1/12/2004

Visiting Professor

The University of AdelaideAustralia

1/09/2004 -

Scientific Advisor

CSRAustralia

1/01/2004 - 1/12/2007

Honorary Secretary

Australian Society of Plant ScientitsitsAustralia

1/07/2001 - 1/08/2001

Visiting Professor

University of TuebingenGermany

1/01/2001 - 1/07/2007

Professor

University of NewcastleSchool of Environmental and Life SciencesAustralia

1/01/1991 -

International Committee

Phloem Transport/Plant Vascualr Biology ConferenceAustralia

1/01/1988 - 1/01/2001

Associate Professor

University of NewcastleSchool of Environmental and Life SciencesAustralia

1/01/1978 - 1/01/1988

Senior Lecturer

University of NewcastleSchool of Environmental and Life SciencesAustralia

1/01/1973 - 1/01/1978

Lecturer

University of NewcastleSchool of Environmental and Life SciencesAustralia

Invitations

External Reviewer - Departments

Department of Plant ScienceOrganisation: The University of Tasmania
Description:
Recognitioin of standing in Australian plant science

Participant

Year

Title / Rationale

2009

Plant Carbon DynamicsOrganisation: ComBio 2009
Description:
Recognition of standing in the field

2007

International Plant Vascular Biology ConferenceOrganisation: Tawain Academy of Sciences
Description:
Recognition of international standing in the field of vascular biology

2006

Plant Cell; Structure-Function RelationsOrganisation: International Symposium iin memory of Vincent Franceschi, WSU
Description:
Recognition of international standing in the field of plant transport biology

2004

Seeds in the -omics eraOrganisation: 9th International Conference on Plant Seeds
Description:
Recognition of international standing in the field of seed biology

2003

International Conference on Phloem TransportOrganisation: International Organising Committee
Description:
Recognition of international standing in the field of phloem biology

Transfer cell morphology is characterized by a polarized ingrowth wall comprising a uniform wall upon which wall ingrowth papillae develop at right angles into the cytoplasm. The ... [more]

Transfer cell morphology is characterized by a polarized ingrowth wall comprising a uniform wall upon which wall ingrowth papillae develop at right angles into the cytoplasm. The hypothesis that positional information directing construction of wall ingrowth papillae is mediated by Ca2+ signals generated by spatiotemporal alterations in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) of cells trans-differentiating to a transfer cell morphology was tested. This hypothesis was examined using Vicia faba cotyledons. On transferring cotyledons to culture, their adaxial epidermal cells synchronously trans-differentiate to epidermal transfer cells. A polarized and persistent Ca2+ signal, generated during epidermal cell trans-differentiation, was found to co-localize with the site of ingrowth wall formation. Dampening Ca2+ signal intensity, by withdrawing extracellular Ca2+ or blocking Ca2+ channel activity, inhibited formation of wall ingrowth papillae. Maintenance of Ca2+ signal polarity and persistence depended upon a rapid turnover (minutes) of cytosolic Ca2+ by co-operative functioning of plasma membrane Ca2+-permeable channels and Ca2+-ATPases. Viewed paradermally, and proximal to the cytosol-plasma membrane interface, the Ca2+ signal was organized into discrete patches that aligned spatially with clusters of Ca2+-permeable channels. Mathematical modelling demonstrated that these patches of cytosolic Ca2+ were consistent with inward-directed plumes of elevated [Ca2+]cyt. Plume formation depended upon an alternating distribution of Ca2+-permeable channels and Ca2+-ATPase clusters. On further inward diffusion, the Ca2+ plumes coalesced into a uniform Ca2+ signal. Blocking or dispersing the Ca2+ plumes inhibited deposition of wall ingrowth papillae, while uniform wall formation remained unaltered. A working model envisages that cytosolic Ca2+ plumes define the loci at which wall ingrowth papillae are deposited.

PATRICK JW, 'TURGOR-DEPENDENT UNLOADING OF ASSIMILATES FROM COATS OF DEVELOPING LEGUME SEED - ASSESSMENT OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PHENOMENON IN THE WHOLE-PLANT', PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, 90 645-654 (1994)

OFFLER CE, PATRICK JW, 'PATHWAY OF PHOTOSYNTHATE TRANSFER IN THE DEVELOPING SEED OF VICIA-FABA L - A STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF TRANSFER CELLS IN UNLOADING FROM THE SEED COAT', JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY, 44 711-724 (1993)

MULLIGAN DR, PATRICK JW, 'CARBON AND PHOSPHORUS ASSIMILATION AND DEPLOYMENT IN EUCALYPTUS-PILULARIS SMITH SEEDLINGS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ROLE OF THE COTYLEDONS', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY, 33 485-496 (1985)

Unravelling Molecular Mechanisms of Invertase-mediated Control of Seed and Fruit DevelopmentBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

Past Supervision

Year

Research Title / Program / Supervisor Type

2014

Phloem Loading and Unloading Pathways in Sorghum Bicolor: The Role of Sucrose Transporters in Export and Storage of SucroseBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2013

Discovering Roles of Calcium and Cortical Microtubules in Directing Ingrowth Wall Formation During Trans-Differentiation of Epidermal Cells to a Transfer Cell MorphologyBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyPrincipal Supervisor

2013

The Ecology of Reproduction in a Rare Plant - Tetratheca JunceaBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor